Exquisite & RARE complete 67pc set of Antique French hallmarked 18k gold plated sterling silver (vermeil) flatware set with ornate foliate & seashell accented pattern, royal crown topped armorial style familial crests and all beautifully kept in the original gilt embossed leather 18" chest! The set falls right smack in the middle of the change from the Michel-Ange or Michelangelo hallmark dating from 1819-1838 and the French Minerve or Minerva mark employed after 1838. All pieces original and matching, apparently a collaboration between Charles Solomon Mahler (from 1824) and Pierre Quielle (c. 1834-1846). Stunning all and all in a condition that could really only be described as pristine. Likely a wedding gift, the crown topped heraldry surely representing the two joining houses. Extensive to say the least, it includes thirty pieces each in those stunning forks & spoons and seven larger serving pieces. The storage box or chest also a treasure and beautifully preserved, leather veneers covering the wood box with brass hardware, working lock with old skeleton key and ornate gilt embossed decoration on the lid. Every aspect magnificent!
Very good to excellent condition. The reason I added "very good" to that is the chest really, it has wear at the edges and some loss to the gilt embossment but, even with that, it's spectacular given its 200 or so years. No loss to the vermeil that I can see on any of the flatware. I did, however, make a mistake above, the chest has a space for sugar tongs that are missing so the set is not entirely "complete". The flatware has a approximate total weight of 166 troy ounces (4135 grams) and the chest, with contents, weighs 16.5 lbs (7.5 kg). See pictures for all individual weights and measurements.
